Indications, dangers and results of surgical treatment of humeral shaft fractures

A series of 78 fractures of the humeral shaft is presented that were treated operatively between 1978 and 1987. Open fractures, fractures with primary palsy of the radial nerve, distal fractures with an intraarticular component, fractures in polytraumatized patients and non-unions were absolute indications for operative stabilization in this series. In 71 fractures, internal stabilization was performed and in 7 fractures external fixation. In 16 fractures (20.6%), primary palsy of the radial nerve was present. In 10 patients (12.8%), radial nerve palsy appeared postoperatively. Nonunions and deep infections did not occur. In two cases, a second osteosynthesis was necessary after loosening of the implants. The humeral shaft fracture shows normal bony consolidation after conservative treatment as well as appropriate plate osteosynthesis. Nine of the 16 patients with primary radial nerve palsy (56.2%) and 6 of the 10 patients with secondary radial nerve palsy (60%) had total functional recovery. In our series, intraoperative palsy of the radial nerve was the most frequent complication after dissection of spiroid fractures in the middle or lower third of the humeral shaft. In this fracture form, a more unstable osteosynthesis, such as intramedullary pinning in accordance to Hackethal, should be chosen.     

Radial nerve transection after ballistic humeral shaft fractures: A retrospective cohort study

IntroductionRadial nerve palsy following fracture of the humeral shaft is common. However, the incidence of nerve transection in the setting of ballistic trauma is unknown. The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence of radial nerve transection after ballistic fracture of the humerus.MethodsPatients presenting to an urban, level-1 trauma center with a ballistic fracture of the humeral shaft were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, clinical exam on presentation, and operative data were reviewed to determine the incidence of radial nerve palsy on initial examination, the incidence of operative treatment, the incidence of how frequently the nerve was directly visualized, and the incidence of radial nerve transection.ResultsOne-hundred and thirteen ballistic humeral shaft fractures were identified. Of these, 30 (26.5%) patients had a complete radial nerve palsy on exam. Of patients with a radial nerve palsy, on exam 20 were taken to the operating room and the nerve was visualized in 17 of those cases. There 2 were partially lacerated nerves and 12 nerves were completely transected. Thus, in patients with a complete nerve deficit on examination who underwent operative treatment with nerve exploration, the rate of nerve transection was 70.6%. The lower bound rate of nerve transection for all patients with radial nerve palsy (assuming all unexplored nerves were intact) was 40.0%.ConclusionThe rate of nerve transection in patients with humerus shaft fractures with associated radial nerve palsies is likely higher than the rate of nerve transection in similar injuries caused by blunt mechanisms. The authors recommend early exploration and fixation of these injuries.     

肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹的系统评价

目的采用循证医学研究方法,系统评价肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹(radialnervepalsy,RNP)的不同处理方法,为临床治疗决策提供证据基础。方法采用PubMed、Datastar及CochraneDatabase等互联网公共搜索引擎作为检索工具,检索过去40年中发表的有关肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹的文献,再对入选文献的参考文献行手工检索,制定数据抽取问表,对入选文献进行数据抽取、汇总、归纳和荟萃分析。结果共检索到391篇原始文献,其中324篇得自电子检索,67篇得自手工检索。有35篇符合最终的入选标准,总计随访患者1045例。其中21篇文献共记录了发生于4517例肱骨干骨折中的532例桡神经麻痹,肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹的发生率为11.8%。肱骨干中1/5和中远1/5部位的桡神经麻痹发生率明显高于其他部位(P<0.05)。不同骨折类型中,横形和螺旋形骨折较斜形和粉碎性骨折更易于并发桡神经麻痹(P<0.0001)。肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹总的恢复率为88.1%,早期保守治疗的病例自发性恢复率为70.7%。观察等待组和早期手术探查组之间神经恢复的最终结果没有明显差别。结论对肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹采用早期保守治疗不会影响神经的最终恢复结果,可以避免许多不必要的手术。     

Radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fracture. Is the energy of trauma a prognostic factor?

Background

Radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fractures is the most common nerve lesion complicating fractures of long bones. The purpose of the study was to review the outcome of surgical management in patients with low energy and high energy radial nerve palsy after humeral shaft fractures.

Methods

Eighteen patients were treated operatively for a humeral shaft fracture with radial nerve palsy. The mean age was 32.2 years and the mean follow up time was 66.1 months (range: 30-104). The surgical management included fracture fixation with early nerve exploration and repair if needed. The patients were divided in two groups based on the energy of trauma (low vs. high trauma energy). The prevalence of injured and unrecovered nerves and time to nerve recovery were analysed.

Results

Five patients sustained low and 13 high energy trauma. All patients with low energy trauma had an intact (4) or entrapped (1) radial nerve and recovered completely. Full nerve recovery was also achieved in five of 13 patients with high energy trauma where the nerve was found intact or entrapped. Signs of initial recovery were present in a mean of 3.2 weeks (range: 1-8) for the low energy group and 12 weeks (range: 3-23) for the high energy group (p = 0.036). In these patients, the average time to full recovery was 14 and 26 weeks for the low and high energy trauma group respectively. Eight patients with high energy trauma had severely damaged nerves and failed to recover, although microsurgical nerve reconstruction was performed in 4 cases. Patients with high energy trauma had a prolonged fracture healing time (18.7 weeks on average) compared to those with low energy fractures (10.4 weeks), (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The outcome of the radial nerve palsy following humeral fractures is associated to the initial trauma. Palsies that are part of a low energy fracture uniformly recover and therefore primary surgical exploration seems unnecessary. In high energy fractures, neurotmesis or severe contusion must be expected. In this case nerve recovery is unfavourable and the patients should be informed of the poor prognosis and the need of tendon transfers.     

Radial nerve palsy associated with fractures of the shaft of the humerus: a systematic review

The management of radial nerve palsy associated with fractures of the shaft of the humerus has been disputed for several decades. This study has systematically reviewed the published evidence and developed an algorithm to guide management. We searched web-based databases for studies published in the past 40 years and identified further pages through manual searches of the bibliography in papers identified electronically. Of 391 papers identified initially, encompassing a total of 1045 patients with radial nerve palsy, 35 papers met all our criteria for eligibility. Meticulous extraction of the data was carried out according to a preset protocol. The overall prevalence of radial nerve palsy after fracture of the shaft of the humerus in 21 papers was 11.8% (532 palsies in 4517 fractures). Fractures of the middle and middle-distal parts of the shaft had a significantly higher association with radial nerve palsy than those in other parts. Transverse and spiral fractures were more likely to be associated with radial nerve palsy than oblique and comminuted patterns of fracture (p < 0.001). The overall rate of recovery was 88.1% (921 of 1045), with spontaneous recovery reaching 70.7% (411 of 581) in patients treated conservatively. There was no significant difference in the final results when comparing groups which were initially managed expectantly with those explored early, suggesting that the initial expectant treatment did not affect the extent of nerve recovery adversely and would avoid many unnecessary operations. A treatment algorithm for the management of radial nerve palsy associated with fracture of the shaft of the humerus is recommended by the authors.     

Plate osteosynthesis in humeral shaft fractures. Indications and results

Non operative management of humeral shaft fractures is well recognized as the standard of care for uncomplicated injuries. Operative treatment of humeral fractures may be performed when limited indications are present as in patients with multiple trauma including ipsilateral forearm injuries, arterial injury or primary radial nerve palsy. 18 patients with humeral shaft fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using the AO plating technique at the Kantonsspital Chur from 1980 to 1986. Follow-up was available for 17 patients of whom 16 suffered from multiple injury trauma. The broad DC plate combined with lag screws was used in most cases. Two brachial artery transections were repaired at the time of primary osteosynthesis by the same surgeons with full functional recovery. Concomitant nerve injuries were repaired primarily in one case and postprimarily in 3 more cases. The overall result was excellent in 9 patients, good in 5 patients, fair in 2 patients and poor in one patient with complete brachial plexus injury. Bone healing was uneventful in all 17 patients. No infection and no delayed union or pseudarthrosis has been observed.     

经皮微创接骨板技术与髓内钉固定治疗肱骨干骨折的疗效比较

目的 比较经皮微创接骨板(MIPO)技术与髓内钉(IMN)固定技术治疗肱骨干骨折的临床效果.方法 回顾性分析2007年3月至2009年1月收治的52例肱骨干中下段骨折患者临床资料,分别采用闭合复位MIPO内固定(MIPO组)与顺行IMN固定(IMN组).MIPO组27例,男15例,女12例;年龄18～65岁,平均36.7岁;IMN组25例,男16例,女9例;年龄25～63岁,平均39.4岁.记录两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、骨折愈合时间、并发症、肘关节Mayo评分及肩关节Constant评分.结果 所有患者获16～36个月(平均17.8个月)随访.两组患者在手术时间、术中出血量、住院天数、骨折愈合时间及肘关节Mayo评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).MIPO组术后无骨不连与桡神经麻痹等并发症发生;IMN组术后4例发生骨不连,2例出现桡神经麻痹,1例出现内翻畸形,但功能良好.MIPO组患者骨不连发生率低于IMN组,肩关节Constant评分高于IMN组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 MIPO微创内固定技术治疗肱骨干骨折具有创伤小、术中出血量少、骨性愈合快、肩肘功能恢复好等优点,同时能减少医源性桡神经损伤的风险.

Abstract：

Objective To compare clinical outcomes of minimally invasive plating osteosynthesis (MIPO) and intramedullary nail stabilization in treatment of acute humeral shaft fractures. Methods From March 2007 to January 2009, 52 patients were treated in our department for acute fractures of middle and lower humeral shaft. Twenty-seven were treated with MIPO technique (group A) and 25 with intramedullary nail (group B) . In group A, there were 15 men and 12 women, aged from 18 to 65 years (average, 36. 7 years); in group B, there were 16 men and 9 women, aged from 25 to 63 years (average,39. 4 years). Operation time, amount of blood transfusion, hospital stay, time for union, complications, Mayo scores of the elbow and Constant scores of the shoulder were recorded in both groups and compared statistically. Results The mean follow-up time was 17. 8 months (range, 16 to 36 months) . There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in operation time, amount of blood transfusion, hospital stay, time for union, and Mayo scores of the elbow ( P > 0. 05) . There was no case of postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy or non-union in group A, but there were 4 cases of non-union, 2 cases of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy and one case of varus malunion in group B. Compared with group B, group A showed significant advantages in rate of postoperative non-union and Constant scores of the shoulder functional recovery ( P < 0. 05) . Conclusion In treatment of humeral shaft fractures, MIPO technique has advantages of less operative invasion, quick bone union, satisfactory shoulder functional recovery and low risk of postoperative palsy of the iatrogenic radial nerve.     

Funktionelle Knochenbruchbehandlung am Oberarm

Using a functional brace, we treated 67 patients who had a fracture of the humeral shaft over a 5-year period from 1987 to 1992. We analysed several parameters of the fractures to discover those which influence healing. Desault, plaster cast or traction were used before applying a brace in an average time of 15 days. The osseous consolidation was 10 weeks in the average. The functional results were very good and good in 78.3%, acceptable in 18.3% and poor in 3.4% of the cases. Twelve humeral-shaft fractures were associated with a radial nerve palsy. Every patient recovered a full radial nerve function under the treatment with a functional brace. The retentive management of an operative treatment of humeral-shaft fractures associated with a nerve injury can be supported because of our experience.     

Combined radial and median nerve injury in diaphysea fracture of humerus： a case report

Radial nerve palsy is the most common neurological involvement in humeral shaft fractures.But combined radial and median nerve injury in a closed diaphyseal fracture of the humerus is rare.Combined injury to both radial and median nerve can cause significant disability.A detailed clinical examination is therefore necessary following humeral shaft fractures.We report a patient with closed diaphyseal humeral fracture （AO 12A-2.3） together with radial and median nerve palsy,its management and review of the literature.As the patient had two nerves involved,surgical exploration was planned.Fracture was reduced and fixed with a 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression pla te.There was no external injury to both radial and median nerves on surgical exploration.Neurological recovery started at 3 weeks＇ follow-up.Complete recovery was seen at 12 weeks.Careful clinical examination is of the utmost importance in early diagnosis of combined nerve injuries,which allows better management and rehabilitation of the patient.     

Radial nerve lesions associated with fractures of the humeral shaft

Radial nerve palsy associated with a fracture of the shaft of the humerus is a relatively common injury. Out of 91 radial nerve injuries, operated upon in the Neurosurgical University Clinic in Belgrade from 1979 to 1988, 37 were associated with fractures of the humeral shaft or their surgical treatment. These fractures were previously treated in other medical units. In all cases a microsurgical reconstruction of the radial nerve was done: an interfascicular neurolysis in 24 cases and interfascicular grafting in 13 cases. A useful functional recovery was obtained in 91.9 per cent of the cases. Timing of nerve exploration and repair, as a main problem, is discussed.     

肱骨干骨折合并桡神经损伤一期桡神经探查与保守治疗的疗效比较

目的 比较肱骨干骨折合并桡神经损伤一期桡神经探查与保守治疗的疗效.方法 1995年3月至2005年10月共收治且有完整随访资料的86例肱骨干骨折合并桡神经损伤患者,男63例,女23例;年龄15～66岁,平均34.0岁.根据对桡神经损伤治疗方法的不同分为两组,其中一期桡神经探查（A组）52例,一期保守治疗（B组）34例,比较两组患者的神经功能恢复时间及恢复率.结果 86例患者术后获6～103个月（平均31.2个月）随访.A组52例中有4例（7.7%）需二次手术;最终50例（96.2%）神经功能完全恢复,1例（1.9%）部分恢复,1例（1.9%）无恢复.B组34例中30例（88.2%）神经功能自发性恢复,4例（11.8%）需二期神经探查;最终33例（97.1%）神经功能完全恢复,1例（2.9%）部分恢复.两组神经功能恢复率比较差异无统计学意义（x2=0.050,P=1.000）.A组神经功能开始恢复时间及完全恢复时间平均分别为（5.3±4.1）、（14.7±8.2）周,B组分别为（4.5±3.9）、（11.6±8.7）周,两组比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）.结论 肱骨干骨折合并桡神经损伤选择保守治疗与一期神经探查具有相当的神经功能恢复率,桡神经损伤不影响肱骨干骨折治疗方式的选择,对闭合性肱骨干骨折合并的桡神经损伤采取保守治疗是一种良好的选择.     

The management of humeral shaft fractures with associated radial nerve palsy: a review of 117 cases

Patients and methods  

This single center retrospective study reviews the management and outcomes of 117 consecutive patients with humeral shaft fractures and associated radial nerve palsy (RNP) treated over a 20-year period (1986–2006). A total of 101 fractures were managed conservatively and 16 fractures underwent external fixation for poor bony alignment. Sixteen grade 1 and 2 open fractures underwent wound toileting alone. No patients underwent initial radial nerve exploration or opening of the fracture sites.     

Incidence and predictors of radial nerve palsy with the anterolateral brachialis splitting approach to the humeral shaft

Purpose: Fractures of the humeral shaft are common and account for 3%e5% of all orthopedic injuries. This study aims to estimate the incidence of radial nerve palsy and its outcome when the anterior approach is employed and to analyze the predictive factors. Methods: The study was performed in the department of orthopaedics unit of a tertiary care trauma referral center. Patients who underwent surgery for acute fractures and nonunions of humerus shaft through an anterior approach from January 2007 to December 2012 were included. We retrospectively analyzed medical records, including radiographs and discharge summaries, demographic data, surgical procedures prior to our index surgery, AO fracture type and level of fracture or nonunion, experience of the operating surgeon, time of the day when surgery was performed, and radial nerve palsy with its recovery condition. The level of humerus shaft fracture or nonunion was divided into upper third, middle third and lower third. Irrespective of prior surgeries done elsewhere, the first surgery done in our institute through an anterior approach was considered as the index surgery and subsequent surgical exposures were considered as secondary procedures. Results: Of 85 patients included, 19 had preoperative radial nerve palsy. Eleven (16%) patients developed radial nerve palsy after our index procedure. Surgeons who have two or less than two years of surgical experience were 9.2 times more likely to induce radial nerve palsy (p=0.002). Patients who had surgery between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. were about 8 times more likely to have palsy (p=0.004). The rest risk factor is AO type A fractures, whose incidence of radial nerve palsy was 1.3 times as compared with type B fractures (p=0.338). For all the 11 patients, one was lost to follow-up and the others recovered within 6 months. Conclusion: Contrary to our expectations, secondary procedures and prior multiple surgeries with failed implants and poor soft tissue were not predictive factors of postoperative deficit. From our study, we also conclude that radial nerve recovery can be reasonably expected in all patients with a postoperative palsy following the anterolateral approach.     

AO非扩髓肱骨髓内钉治疗肱骨干骨折

目的：总结运用AO非扩髓肱骨髓内钉(UHN)治疗肱骨干骨折的临床效果。方法：从1999年2月-2002年5月，本科运用髓内固定技术共治疗了46例肱骨干骨折的病人，其中男21例，女25例。平均年龄42岁。根据肩肘关节的活动范围对术后肩肘关节的功能进行评价。结果：肩肘关节功能优秀30例(占65％)，良好13例(占28％)，差3例(占7％)。手术时间平均为60min。术后没有继发性桡神经瘫，无伤口感染。3例患者术后出现肩蜂下撞击综合征，2例患者出现肘关节的疼痛。结论：非扩髓肱骨髓内钉对于肱骨干骨折是一种固定可靠，并发症少，骨愈合率高，功能恢复良好的手术方法。     

Treatment of fractures of the shaft of the humerus accompanied by paralysis of the radial nerve

This paper reports the results of treatment of 17 patients with fractures of the shaft of the humerus accompanied by paralysis of the radial nerve in a series of 111 patients with fractures of the shaft of the humerus.

In early operative explorations in 14 cases the radial nerve appeared undamaged in 13 cases. In cases where spontaneous recovery of the function of the radial nerve failed to occur, no evidence has been found that the delay in exploration influenced eventual motor recovery. The high incidence of undamaged nerves at exploration suggests that a conservative approach by collar and cuff or Sarmiento bracing is justified in such cases of fractures of the shaft of the humerus. Paralysis of the radial nerve associated with fractures of the shaft of the humerus is, in our opinion, not an indication for early operative treatment.     

Indications and osteosynthesis procedures in humeral shaft fractures

In the therapy of fractures of the humeral shaft, the individual patient's total condition should be taken into consideration when selecting the adequate method of treatment. Conservative treatment of humeral shaft fractures is still preferred, and Sarmiento's functional therapy has expanded the therapeutic possibilities. The decision for operative treatment is clarified by dividing the indications into the following categories: absolute, relative and recommended indications. In order to reduce complication rates and to ensure stability, we chose among three osteosynthetic procedures: 1. Bundle nailing. 2. Compression plate. 3. Fixateur externe (De Bastiani's mono-fixateur). In simple fractures of the shaft, bundle nailing is an effective and low-risk treatment. Compression plate is indicated in the presence of radial nerve palsy and in very distal shaft fractures. In open fractures and fractures with accompanying blood vessel damage, we favour stabilization with the De Bastiani's unilateral fixateur externe.     

Extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal fractures of the humerus. A comparison of functional bracing and plate fixation

BACKGROUND: There are strong advocates for both operative and nonoperative treatment of distal-third diaphyseal fractures of the humerus, but there are few comparative data. We performed a retrospective comparison of these two treatment methods. METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive patients with a closed, extra-articular fracture of the distal one-third of the humeral diaphysis were identified from an orthopaedic trauma database. Forty patients were followed for at least six months or until healing of the fracture. Eleven patients were excluded because of inadequate follow-up. Nineteen patients had been managed with plate-and-screw fixation, and twenty-one had been managed with functional bracing. RESULTS: Among the operatively treated patients, one had loss of fixation, one had a postoperative infection, and one required tendon transfers for the treatment of a preoperative radial nerve palsy that did not resolve. Three new postoperative radial nerve palsies developed, and one had not resolved when the patient was last evaluated, three months after surgery. All operatively treated fractures healed with <10 degrees of angular deformity, and one patient lost 20 degrees of shoulder or elbow motion. Among the nonoperatively treated fractures, two were converted to plate fixation because of the treating surgeons' concern regarding alignment and radial nerve palsy. Only one patient had >30 degrees of malalignment in any plane. Two patients had development of skin breakdown during treatment and completed treatment in a sling. Two patients lost >/=20 degrees of elbow or shoulder motion. CONCLUSIONS: For extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures, operative treatment achieves more predictable alignment and potentially quicker return of function but risks iatrogenic nerve injury and infection and the need for reoperation. Functional bracing can be associated with skin problems and varying degrees of angular deformity, but function and range of motion are usually excellent.     

Is there a place for external fixation in humeral shaft fractures?

There is a good indication for unilateral axial dynamic external fixation in fractures of the humeral shaft when the fracture appears in the distal third or in cases of bilateral fractures. A non-union or a posttraumatic paralysis of the radial nerve may be indications for external fixation as well as fractures associated with multiple injuries. Further indications include osteitis, infected non-union and comminuted fracture. There is maximum protection of the soft tissue with this method of treatment. External fixation combines the advantages of conservative and operative treatment by influencing callus formation by dynamizing, distraction or compression. Minimizing soft tissue damage facilitates the decision for early exploration of the radial nerve in cases of palsy. A safer positioning technique of the distal screws of the fixator is described.     

Intramedullary nailing of humeral shaft fractures

Summary Humeral shaft fractures can be treated either conservatively or operatively. Plating of the humerus is the established operative method, but recently interest has also been focussed on intramedullary nailing. Fifty-nine cases of humeral fractures treated with intramedullary nailing (Seidel/Marchetti-Vicenzi/Prévot) from January 1991 to December 1995 (44 fractures after trauma, 11 pathological fractures, 3 pseudarthroses, 1 re-fracture). Closed reduction in 55/59 cases. One infection (soft tissue); 2/48 pseudarthrosis (indication for nailing: pseudarthrosis!). No iatrogenic palsy of the radial nerve. Functional postoperative treatment in all 44 cases of humeral fractures after adequate trauma. One poor functional result: periarticular ossification after retrograde nailing, possibly connected with long-term respiratory treatment after trauma. Treatment of humeral shaft fractures by intramedullary nailing is favoured in our clinic (low complication rates, excellent or good functional results, limited approaches, small scars). Proximal fractures should be treated by the Seidel nail (stable interlocking of the proximal fragment); very distal fractures need Prévot nailing (reaming of condylar canals). All other fractures of the humeral shaft can be treated by each of the implants used in our clinic. Pathological fractures are an excellent indication for intramedullary stabilization. These patients benefit from stable fixation without intense surgical trauma. Pseudarthrosis, according to our limited experience, seems to require plating plus bone grafting. Plating is also recommended if revision of the radial nerve becomes necessary.      

Intraoperative interfragmentary radial nerve compression in a medially plated humeral shaft fracture: a case report

Persistent secondary radial nerve palsy following open reduction and plating of humeral shaft fractures is rare, as the nerve is usually identified and protected throughout surgery. However, it is very difficult to identify and protect the radial nerve during medial and posteromedial approaches and closed intramedullary nailing, thus increasing the risk of damaging it. This case of interfragmentary radial nerve compression at the fracture site occurred during posteromedial plating of a laterally displaced and angulated segmental fracture of the middle and distal thirds of the humeral shaft. Exploration and nerve grafting was later required to regain function. It is important that the radial nerve be identified and protected in fixation of humeral shaft fractures with high-risk fracture configurations.